The other play of Cervantes, that has reached us from this period of his life, is founded on the tragical fate of Numantia, which, having resisted the Roman arms fourteen years,[117] was reduced by famine; the Roman forces consisting of eighty thousand men, and the Numantian of less than four thousand, not one of whom was found alive when the conquerors entered the city.[118] Cervantes probably chose this subject in consequence of the patriotic recollections it awakened and still continues to awaken in the minds of his countrymen; and, for the same reason, he filled his drama chiefly with the public and private horrors consequent on the self-devotion of the Numantians. [117] Cervantes makes Scipio say of the siege, on his arrival,-- Diez y seis años son y mas pasados. The true length of the contest with Numantia was, however, fourteen years, and the length of the last siege fourteen months. [118] It is well to read, with the “Numancia” of Cervantes, the account of Florus, (Epit. II. 18), and especially that in Mariana, (Lib. III. c. 6-10), the latter being the proud Spanish version of it. It is divided into four _jornadas_, and, like the Trato de Argel, is written in a great variety of measures; the ancient _redondilla_ being preferred for the more active portions. Its _dramatis personæ_ are no fewer than forty in number; and among them are Spain and the River Duero, a Dead Body, War, Sickness, Famine, and Fame; the last personage speaking the Prologue. The action opens with Scipio’s arrival. He at once reproaches the Roman army, that, in so long a time, they had not conquered so small a body of Spaniards,--as Cervantes always patriotically calls the Numantians,--and then announces that they must now be subdued by Famine. Spain enters, as a fair matron, and, aware of what awaits her devoted city, invokes the Duero in two poetical octaves,[119] which the river answers in person, accompanied by three of his tributary streams, but gives no hope to Numantia, except that the Goths, the Constable of Bourbon, and the Duke of Alva shall one day avenge its fate on the Romans. This ends the first act. [119] Duero gentil, que, con torcidas vueltas, Humedeces gran parte de mi seno, Ansí en tus aguas siempre veas envueltas Arenas de oro qual el Tajo ameno, Y ansí las ninfas fugitivas sueltas, De que está el verde prado y bosque lleno, Vengan humildes á tus aguas claras, Y en prestarte favor no sean avaras, Que prestes á mis ásperos lamentos Atento oido, ó que á escucharlos vengas, Y aunque dexes un rato tus contentos, Suplícote que en nada te detengas: Si tú con tus continos crecimientos Destos fieros Romanos no te vengas, Cerrado veo ya qualquier camino A la salud del pueblo Numantino. Jorn. I., Sc. 2.